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Janet Jackson Parts Ways with Island Def Jam
After just 14 months on Island Def Jam, Janet Jackson announced Monday (September 22) her departure from the label. According to Jackson’s publicist, the label agreed to dissolve its relationship with the artist at her request. After a long stint with Virgin, Jackson inked a deal with Island in July 2007 and released her label debut, “Discipline,” in February. When album sales failed to meet expectations, the singer expressed dissatisfaction with Island Def Jam, first telling SOHH.com that the label “stopped all promotion whatsoever on the album” after releasing the first single, “Feedback.” Earlier this month, she hinted about potentially severing ties with the label to Billboard, stating, “I can’t say if we’ll be working with them in the future. I don’t know what the future holds between the two of us. (Continue Reading…)

South Africa’s ANC Picks Successor to Mbeki
South Africa’s ruling ANC on Monday named its deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe as head of state after Thabo Mbeki bowed to pressure and announced his resignation, a spokesman told AFP. Motlanthe is to serve as head of state until elections are held in seven months’ time. “Motlanthe will be the president, not interim, he will be the president of the republic until the election,” spokesman for the ANC parliamentary caucus KK Khumalo said after a meeting between the party and lawmakers. (Continue Reading…)